FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT RAY ALLEN - PAGE 2

May 7, 2014 Q: Ira, while the Nets had to push Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Heat were able to pace Ray Allen. Smart. You could see Tuesday how much this series means to him. I like what Erik Spoelstra has done, making sure he kept Shane Battier and Allen fresh for the most important games. -- Zach. A: I'm not so sure it was about keeping Ray or Shane or anyone else fresh. It just worked out that way because of matchups. But making shots is essential for Allen, because it is clear the Nets are going to attack him on the opposite end (where he actually had his defensive moments Tuesday)

October 4, 2013 Q: I love everything I've read about Ray Allen so far. He doesn't sound like he's going away any time soon. He wasn't too old in the playoffs and he won't be asked to do too much this season. He's not done, is he? -- Ray, Boca Raton. A: Physically, Ray appears to be getting younger. No Heat player respects his body as much as Ray. But the reality is that it remains difficult to find defensive matchups where he doesn't put the Heat at a deficit.

The Miami Heat are once again expected to play short-handed Monday against the Toronto Raptors. Guard Dwyane Wade is likely to miss his third straight game because of a sore hamstring. Wade did not participate in the morning shootaround and is "unilikely," according to coach Erik Spoelstra. Reserve guard Ray Allen and center Greg Oden also aren't expected to play. Allen has missed the last three games due to the flu while Oden will sit for a third straight game because of back pain.

For now, the embrace might be only in one direction, but Ray Allen wanted to make it known it was heartfelt on his part. So a week after leaving the Boston Celtics for the Miami Heat, Allen took out a full-page advertisement in Sunday's Boston Globe to express his appreciation for his tenure in Boston. The ad read: "Dear Celtics fans, For the past five years, my family and I took great pride in calling Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members of the Celtics family and being part of your community.

Amid his most productive stretch of the season, guard Ray Allen has been sidelined by the flu, remaining behind in Miami for Wednesday night's game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "Ray caught the same flu bug that his family caught," coach Erik Spoelstra said. Allen had scored in double figures in seven of the previous eight games. But he also has struggled during his brief Heat career against the Pacers, averaging 5.9 points in 12 regular-season and postgame games with the Heat against Indiana.

Q: Ira, there are trade rumors about Kevin Garnett been shopped to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, and Paul Pierce seems to be on the market, as well. Do you think Ray Allen should feel at ease, because clearly he made the right decision by bringing his talents to South Beach? In my opinion, if Ray would've stayed, he would've been on the trade block or traded by now. -- Kendrick, Fort Lauderdale. A: You raise a valid point, since it seems as if Danny Ainge is deathly afraid of this era of Celtics growing old like the Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale rendition, which had no available replacement parts (albeit amid the Reggie Lewis and Len Bias tragedies)

1. I've got no problem with Kevin Garnett snubbing Ray Allen in Tuesday's opener. Let me go further: I respect Garnett for doing it. He's old school. He was standing up for himself, his team, his fans, his city. It would have been out of Garnett's character when Allen came over to the Celtics bench as he entered the game midway through the first quarter to shake hands and hug. That's what Allen did to Boston coach Doc and more clumsily with an assistant or two. When Allen reached for Garnett, he got ice. Garnett didn't recognize him. You can call it bad sportsmanship.

Q: Good morning, Ira. Does Heat management want Ray Allen back? Are they reaching out to him? He closed on a home during the season, and I got the feeling he liked South Florida. Could he be in a Heat uniform next season? -- Cheryl, Fort Lauderdale. A: When I spoke to Ray last season about a decision to continue playing, he told me he wished he could wait until September every year for such a confirmation, since that is when he best can tell where his body and his mind stand.

Five thoughts after Game 5 of the NBA Finals: 1. Side by side in the Heat locker room afterward, Ray Allen and Shane Battier dressed after a game for perhaps the last time. These are two pros who helped create the fabric of this team. It's been known for a while Battier is retiring. "I've given all I can to the game," he said. "I can't give anymore. I'm OK. " Allen wasn't saying what he will do, though he tip-toed to the edge of retiring. "I've had a great career," he said.